Finger guide for typewriters



Feb. 9-.1926. 1,572,385

B. F. ELLSWORTH FINGER GUIDE FOR TYPEWRITERS Filed Jan. 1''! 1925 [27V6]? for Zi /yam in Ff/lwar/fi Patented t 9, 192%,

UNITED stars BENJAMIN F. ELLS'WGRTH, OF BROOKLYN, NEW' YORK,

FINGER GUIDE FOR TYEEWRITERS.

Application filed January To all 10720721, may concern) lie it knownthat l, BEN'I'AMLN F. ELL-S- wou'rir, a citizen of theUnited States, anda resident of Brooklyn, in the county 01" Kings and State of New York, 1we invented a new and. Improved Finger Guide for Typewriters and OtherKeyboard li l'achincs, of which the following is a specification.

This invent-ion relates to keyboard iingger guides for type writing andother manually operated keyboard machines.

An object of the invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive fingerguide which can be immediately applied to the keys with out screws,clanilps, or other fastening means. Another object of the invention isto provide a device that will enable a learner to mastelmeasily themai'iipulation of a typewriter or the like by the so-called touchsystem.

The invention consists in providing a tinger guide in th form of a plateof sheet metal or other suitable material adapted to be inserted betweenthe keys operated by the right hand and the keys operated by the lefthand, the upper edge of which plate following the downward slope of thekey grouping, and the plate having feet or other supporting means whichrest preferably on the table under the keyboard so that the guide isself-sustaining.

In order that my invention may be fully understood, there will now bedescribed by way of example and with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, a preferred construction of the linger guide in accordancewith said invention.

In these figures:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the finger guide in position among the keys ofa typewriter.

Fig. 53 is a perspective view of the linger guide.

Figure is a view of the guide when flat,

' before bending to the form shown in Figs. i and 2.

which it is inserted, this configuration being 17, 1925. Serial No. 3208.

clearly shown in Fig. 1. The upper edge at of the guide follows thedownward slope of the key-board, so that this edge 4 is at a uniform andconvenient distance, say about oneeighth of an inch, above the keys 2for. the purpose of guiding the lingers and preventing the fingers ofeither hand from straying into positions over the group assigned to theother hand. The lower portion of the guide is shown cut away to pro videthree feet 5, the bottom edges 6 of which simply rest on the tableorother sur face 7 on which the machine is supported. The guide is thusentirely self-supporting and requires no screws, clamps, or fasteners ofany kind to support it in the machine when in use. Vertical support ofthe guide is provided entirely by the feet 5 while the guide is steadiedor supported laterally by the keys and key levers between which itpasses.

In the illustrated example the vertical ton ward edge 8 of the guide hastwo notches or shoulders 9 and 10, as shown in Fig. 3, the upper andsmaller shoulder 9 being intended to engage the lower edge of the coverplate of the machine, and the lower and larger shoulder 10 beingintended to pass over a cross-rod of the machine structure.

It will be understood that the form of the vertical forward edge of theguide may be varied as required to make the guide fit snugly andconveniently in whichever type of machine wherein it is to be used, butwithout-in any way interfering with the proper manipulation of the keys.

The finger guide of my invention is of great simplicity, is inexpensiveto manufacture, can be quickly placed in position for use, and quicklyremoved when not required.

My finger guide is intended chiefly for use in the training of typistsby the so called touch system and when used on a standard typewriterkeyboard the uide is pref erably so located that the keys 5, '1', G, V,lie immediately to the left, and the keys 6, Y, H, B, immediately to theright, of the guide, this being the standard. line of division betweenthe r'e ht and left. hand key groups.

It will. be seen that tl e objects of my invention as hereinbetorestated have been achieved.

The invention as licrcinbe'tore set forth is embodied in a.particularformofconstruction, but may be variously embodied with in thescope of the claims hereinafter made.

I claim:

1. A finger guide for keyboard machines consisting of a single piece ofrigid sheet material adapted to be inserted between the keys and keylevers operatedbythe. right.

consisting ofa single piece of rigid sheet material adapted to separatethe keys into two groups for manipulation by the respective hands of theoperator; said guid'ebeing steadied. laterally by. the several keys andtheir levers between which it freely passes, and having feetconstituting its sole vertical supportwhen resting on anyconvenientstationary surface below the keyboard.

portion of said plate being formed with supporting feet for the guidewhen in use and adapted to rest on any convenient stationary surfacebelow the keyboard.

4. A'finger guide for keyboard machines havingan upper portion formingthe guide proper and adapted to stand between the keys to separate sameinto groups, and a lower sustaining portion extending downwardsbetween'the key levers of the machineto the surface whereon the machinerests.

' BENJAMIN F. ELLSVORTH.

